Technology for cultivation of Porphyra and other seaweeds in land-based sea water ponds

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides unique technology, systems and methods of cultivating different types of seaweeds, including, but not limited to,  Porphyra  (Nori),  Laminaria, Undaria, Eucheuma, Gracillaria, Ulva, Sargassum, Codium, Cladophora, Ascophyllum, Palmaria, Furcellaria, Fucus  or  Enteromorpha , in land-based seawater ponds having a climatically suitable and nutrient controlled environment. These land-based ponds may be built in any part of the world with structural engineering and architectural modifications. The invention provides methods of designing different stages of growth, and defining the special conditions to optimize each of the different stages in controlled environments. The technology includes techniques of enriching the seaweeds with desired nutrients and ingredients for the production of high quality products that are free of marine pollutants, in addition to generating maximum yields under optimum, clean, temperature controlled and stable environmental conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides unique technology, systems and methods ofcultivating Porphyra species and other types of seaweeds in land-basedseawater ponds having a climatically suitable and nutrient controlledenvironment. These land-based ponds may be built in any part of theworld with structural engineering and architectural modifications. Thesystems include the design and development of suitable seawater pondsthat may be installed in climatically and geographically appropriatelocations on land, any where in the world. The invention providesmethods of designing different stages of growth, and defining thespecial conditions to optimize each of the different stages incontrolled environments, and enabling the cultivation of seaweedsthrough the year. The technology includes techniques of enriching theProphyra and other seaweeds with desired nutrients and ingredients forthe production of high quality products that are free of marinepollutants, in addition to generating maximum yields under optimum,clean, temperature controlled and stable environmental conditions.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Currently, the maricultured Porphyra, commonly known as Nori, and othertypes of seaweeds, are cultivated in the open sea, in a habitat that issuitable to changing climatic conditions in an uncontrolled manner andgathered manually along the coasts of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China.The algae are grown on nets covering approximately 70,000 hectares ofthe sea. Approximately 300,000 workers participate in the cultivationand gathering of Porphyra. This labor-intensive traditional cultivationsystem has several drawbacks and yet it has been the only systemavailable for commercial cultivation of Nori. Moreover, the Nori cropgrown by this cultivation system is exposed to seawater pollution, toclimatic fluctuations and environmental conditions that control itsquality and quantity of yield.

Because of its high protein and vitamin content, Nori is considered tobe a valuable nutritional product and its consumption has beenincreasing progressively in recent years. For example, the market forNori is large with total sales of seaweed products exceeding six billiondollars, and the market for Nori sheets in the US alone is estimated tobe worth fifty million dollars annually. Once manually gathered, theNori is dried into sheets and world-wide production of Porphyra totalsabout fourteen billion Nori sheets. Yet, currently, large-scale seaweedmariculture is carried out Mainly in Asia because the demand for seaweedproducts was traditionally high in Asia. Eleven countries produceseaweed products, for example, Japan, Korea, China, Phillipines,Indonesia, Chile, Taiwan, Vietnam, Russia, United States and Italy. Ofthese countries, only Japan, Korea and China produce Porphyra, andtherefore, these countries are the exclusive suppliers for the US andEuropean markets.

Other types of seaweeds produced in the ten countries listed aboveinclude Laminaria, Undaria, Eucheuma, and Gracilaria. The US andEuropean markets are supplied with unsophisticated Nori products withminimal differentiation, that is, US and Europe receive the low gradeand cheap Nori. The high-end, premium Nori products are mainly reservedfor the consumption in Japan. In 1997, about 350,000 wet tons of Noriwere produced in Japan with a retail value of one billion dollars. Thereare approximately seventy species of Porphyra and about thirty-threespecies occur in Japan. Nori cultivation is a well developed industry inJapan, where improvements have been made in techniques for controlledculturing of the conchocelis stage in shells and for artificial seedingof spores produced by the conchocelis onto cultivation nets which can bestored until placed in the open sea environment.

Genetic improvement of cultured species to maximize the yield of Noriand to develop cost-effective cultivation programs was restricted toclassical breeding methods such as strain selection. Mitsua, O. et al.,JP 11113529, Apr. 27, 1999.

Prior art describes methods for producing wall-less cells or protoplastsfrom Nori and protoplast fusion techniques used to produce new hybrid,polyploid and aneuploid genomes possessing combinations of geneticmaterial found in the respective parental species. The new strainsproduced have altered chromosomal composition and are grown in the opensea. They show modifications in growth, pigment or metabolitecomposition. Cheney D. et. A., WO/99/29160, published Jun. 17, 1999. Themain disadvantage of this approach is that new strains have to bedeveloped, and even then there is a geographical constraint because, anopen sea environment is required to cultivate the various seaweeds.

The technology of the present invention overcomes the abovedisadvantages and takes a unique approach to improving the quality andquantity of Nori and other seaweed products by providing specializedtechnology, systems and methods for cultivation of the various seaweeds,not in the natural ocean habitat, but inside land-based ponds thatprovide a stable, fully controlled habit having optimal cultivationconditions. These land-based seawater ponds may be installed in any partof the world, and preferably near a coastal region having an abundanceof marine algae and suitable climatic and water temperatures, and at asite close to the processing and manufacturing plant location. Theeconomic benefit of this cultivation technology is the reduced cost, aswell as controlling the quality and yield of Nori and other seaweedproducts produced by changing the nutrient supply to the growing algaeby altering the ingredient present in the seawater in the ponds ratherthan altering the genetic traits of the original species, although thetechnology can be applied to genetically altered or geneticallyengineered species as well.

Prior art describes a variety of pharmaceutical or medicinalcompositions that were extracted from or derived by chemical processfrom marine algae, and showing useful effects.

For example, Yvin J. C. et al., describe compositions that have effectsin modulating apoptosis dysfunction, WO/99/39718, Aug. 12, 1999.

Winget, R. R., describes compositions that have anti-inflammatoryactions, WO/94/24984, Nov. 10, 1994.

Soma, G. et al., describe compositions that exhibit anti-herpesactivity, EP 0462 020 A2, Dec. 18, 1991.

Boratyn, D. C., describes sunscreen compositions derived from naturallyoccurring plants and marine algae, U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,329, Oct. 24,2000 and Huner N. et al., WO/0024369, May 4, 2000.

Kiriyama S described compositions derived from marine algae that areuseful for treatment of hyperglyceridemia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,481, Feb.18, 1992.

Prior art describes methods for producing wall-less cells or protoplastsfrom Nori and protoplast fusion techniques used to produce new hybrid,polyploid and aneuploid genomes possessing combinations of geneticmaterial found in the respective parental species. The new strainsproduced have altered chromosomal composition and are grown in the opensea. They show modifications in growth, pigment or metabolitecomposition. Cheney D. et. A., WO/99/29160, published Jun. 17, 1999. Themain disadvantage of this approach is that new strains have to bedeveloped, and even then there is a geographical constraint because, anopen sea environment is required to cultivate the various seaweeds.

The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages. It takes aunique approach to improving the quality and quantity of Nori and otherseaweed products produced by providing specialized technology comprisingof land-based seawater ponds that can be installed in any part of theworld. The invention provides systems and methods for cultivation of thevarious seaweed species, not in the natural ocean habit, but insideland-based ponds that provide a stable, fully controlled habitat havingoptimal cultivation conditions. These land-based seawater ponds may beinstalled in any part of the world and preferably a coastal regionhaving an abundance of marine algae species and suitable climatic andwater temperatures. The ambient environmental conditions inside theland-based seawater ponds can be controlled so that the cultivationperiod may be all year round instead of relying on climatic conditions.The nutrient content of the seawater bonds can be formulated to designthe composition and nutrient content of the seaweed cultivated in theland-based seawater ponds of the invention. The economic benefit of thiscultivation technology is the reduced cost, as well as controlling thequality and yield of Nori and other seaweed products. The inventionallows for growing seaweeds all year round by dividing the growth cycleinto different stages of growth, by changing the environmentalconditions for each stage to achieve maximum growth, and by changing thenutrient supply to the growing algae by altering the seawater in theponds rather than altering the genetic traits of the original species.The technology is also applicable to genetically altered or geneticallyengineered species as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel, unique and usefultechnology, systems and methods for carrying out large-scalemariculture, suitable for the production of a variety of seaweed generaand species, including, but not limited to, Porphyra (Nori), Laminaria,Undaria, Eucheuma, Gracilaria, Ulva, Sargassum, Codium, Cladophora,Ascophyllum, Palmaria, Furcellaria, Fucus, or Enteromorpha.

The technology for the invention features the use of land-based seawaterponds that provide a stable, fully controlled and environmentally safecultivation system to enable the growth of Porphyra and/or otherseaweeds, out of their natural open sea habitat.

The systems and methods comprise preplanned and preprogrammedenvironmental conditions including enriched seawater with essential anddesired elements that may be incorporated into the growing seaweeds, toprovide consistent quality, quantity and pollution free crop yields.

The object of the invention is to provide cost effective technology forthe cultivation of edible seaweeds, for example, Porphyra (Nori), inland-based ponds by designing and constructing the ponds that aresuitable for aquaculture of seaweeds; establishing cultivationprocedures, e.g., seeding, growing and harvesting, and drying andpreparing the product for the market. Such technology could not beapplied successfully in open sea environments controlled by climacticconditions.

Another object of the invention is to develop methods for producingPorphyra and other seaweeds in land-based seawater ponds undercontrolled conditions to produce products that may be used as foodcomponents, neutraceuticals, cosmetics or pharmaceutics.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the technology providesdesigner or tailor-made seaweeds having compositions that have uniqueproperties, including, but not limited to, antiviral activity,antibacterial activity, antimycobacterial activity, antihelminthicactivity, antiulcer properties, endocrine effects, anti-inflammatoryeffects, metal chelating properties, protection from radiation and assuncreens, immunomodulatory properties, wound and burn healingproperties, antiaging properties, antioxidant properties oranti-atherosclerotic properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The advantages and features of the present invention will become readilyapparent after reading the following detailed description andreferencing the drawings. In order to facilitate a fuller understandingof the present invention, reference is made of the drawings which shouldnot be construed as limiting the present invention, but are intended tobe exemplary only and, which are:

FIG. 1 outlines the life history of Porphyra, and shows that Porphyramay be grown by the asexual reproductive cycle (1) or sexualreproductive cycle(2). The asexual cycle takes place during the winterperiod (3) in the open sea and the sexual cycle occurs during the summerperiod (4). Prior art describes that heretofore, all Porphyra growersemployed the sexual fertilization pathway when cultivating Porphyra inthe open sea.

In contrast, the present invention uses systems that use the asexuallife cycle of Porphyra as the main fertilization pathway. This methodmay be used for using the asexual cycle for other seaweed species aswell. The asexual life cycle (1) of Porphyra comprises the following—theaplanospore (5), the gametophyte (6) and the bipolar sporeling (7).

The sexual cycle (2) of Pophyra comprises the carposores (8), unipolarsporeling (9), sporophyte (10), the monospore (11), the conchocelisphase (12) and the plantlet (13).

FIG. 2 describes the overall flow-chart for the steps in cultivation ofNori, including the sporting growth unit (14), the seeding unit (15) andvarious stages of cultivation, including growth in ponds (16) of algaein suspension culture, blade cycling (17), harvesting (18), drying andgrinding (19) to produce Porphyra products, e.g., neutraceuticals,foods, cosmetics or pharmaceutics (20).

FIG. 3 describes the production of spores and sporlings in thelaboratory (21). This stage takes about one month. The sporlings aregrown in sleeves, one sleeve for one small tank, in an environmentallycontrolled chamber (22). A chiller (23) may be used to control thetemperature. The next stage of growth designated as Stage 1 (24) ofPorphyra cultivation carried out in small tanks (401) and lasts forapproximately 2 weeks.

FIG. 4 describes Stage 2 (25) of Porphyra cultivation carried out inlarge tanks (4 m) and lasts about 2 to 3 weeks to give a final weight ofabout 2.25 Kg. This Stage results in the first cut of the Porphyra.

FIG. 5 describes Stage 3 (26) of Porphyra cultivation that is carriedout in Inoculation Ponds (30 m²) to produce about 37.5 Kg final weight.This stage results in the second cut.

FIG. 6 describes Stage 4 (27) of Porphyra cultivation lasting 3 to 4weeks in cultivation ponds (0.5 D) to produce 1250 Kg final weight. Thisstage results in the harvest of Porphyra.

FIG. 7 describes the annual cultivation activity by growth stages inland-based seawater ponds for Porphyra species (P.sp) grown in Taiwanand Porphyra Yezoensis.

The invention describes a design by which the temperature and otherconditions were optimized to control each stage of cultivation of twoPorphyra species. The growth stages can be programmed only in the landbased sea ponds of the invention. Such stages can not be controlled inthe open sea environment to optimize the cultivation of seaweeds,irrespective of the seasonal changes.

For example, during the months of June (25° C.), July (28° C.) andAugust (30° C.), the mother sporlings were grown in the laboratory.

During September (29° C.), October (26° C.), November (23° C.)December(20° C.) and January (19° C.), sporulation takes place and sporlingsgrow in environmentally controlled chambers in the laboratory.

During February (18° C.), March (18° C.), April (19° C.) and May (21°C.), the sporlings are frozen and maintained in the laboratory. DuringOctober to February, the 2 species of Porphyra entered different growthstages from growing in the sleeves, to stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, andstage 4. During March to April, the Porphyra species grew in stage 2,stage 3 and stage 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the genus Porphyra has an asexual life cyclelasting during winter, comprising a macroscopic, haploid andgametophytic blade (1); and a sexual life cycle (2) that is microscopic,shell-boring, diploid and includes sporophytic filaments referred to asthe conchocelis phase (12).

The gametophytic or blade phase represents the asexual life cycle (1)and what is normally found in nature and what is grown on nets in Noricultivation in open seas. The haploid gametophytic phase consists of amembranous blade that may be one or two cells thick and either dioeciousor monoecious, depending upon the species. In monoecious species varioussized blocks of male and female cells develop along the blade atmaturity. The gametophytic blade phase is seasonal and normallydegenerates and dies after the production of carpospores.

After sexual fertilization (2), diploid carpospores are produced by theblade, which give rise to the diploid sporophytic conchocelis phase(12). The sporophytic concocelis phase typically grows as a mass offilaments embedded in shell and difficult to observe in nature. Thefilaments are composed of very long cells with a very narrow diameter,typically around 3 to 10 mirometers wide and several times that inlength. Seasonal changes in the environmental conditions induce theconchocelis to produce packets or branches of larger-sized cells,typically 15 to 25 micrometer in diameter, called conchosporangialbranches, which when mature, release diploid conchospores. Meiosis isthought to occur in the germinating conchospore. Typically, conchoceliscultures are grown on shells in large tanks and induced to produce andrelease conchospores prior to the farming season, through an alterationin light and temperature conditions. The conchospores released by theconchocelis are used to seed the nets that will be put out into theocean to grow the blades, which are later harvested, dried and sold asNori sheets. The sexual life cycle of fertilization during summer isused to cultivate Porphyra by almost all Porphyra farmers.

In contrast, the principal feature of the present invention for Porphyramariculturing using land-based seawater ponds, is the asexual cycle offertilization shown in FIG. 2. The advantage for using this mode offertilization for Porphyra is that Nori can be cultivated during wintermonths. The main advantage of using the asexual cycle is the readinessand immediate availability of sporelings during the whole year. This canresult in the extension of the cultivation period, provided that theoutdoor conditions are adequate, and conditions in the land-basedseawater ponds are adjusted. Another important advantage is that all theprocesses of cultivating separately the conchocelis stage are avoided.The land-based seawater ponds may also be used for summer cultivation ofNori and other commercially valuable seaweeds.

The technology of the present invention has been successfully applied toa network of land-based ponds, to achieve yields up to 1 Kg/m2/weekduring the growing season. Porphyra species and strains that prolong thecultivation season have been tested. Dried Nori (Hoshi-nori) grown bythe invention is of good quality and enriched with nutritional elementssuch as proteins, fibers, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acidsand phytochemicals. Some advantages of the present invention ofcontrolled cultivation technology include: i) successful growth of Norithat is free of pollutants (usually through controlling the incomingseawater, drainage or eutrophication of sea water), ii) free fromenvironmental degradation and meteorological anomalies, iii) consistentproduction of high quality Nori and crop yield, iv) optimal conditionsfor maximum quality and crop yield, and v) easy access to harvesting andreplanting.

Some examples of the specific applications of the present invention forthe cultivation and improvement of Porphyra include, but are not limitedto the following examples presented below.

-   1. The Nori cultivation is done in open sea and is dependent fully    on sea ecology and climatic conditions. In contrast, the present    invention provides technology to cultivate Nori and other seaweeds    in land-based seawater ponds that are not under the influence of sea    conditions such as extreme temperature changes, storms or nutrient    content.-   2. The Nori cultivation in open sea cannot control the yield or    quality of product cultivated. In contrast, both the quality and    yield of Nori cultivated in the invention is controlled, i.e.,    guaranteed high yields and high quality of tailor-made or designer    Nori can be made on order.-   3. The Nori cultivation in open sea has no control over the content    or composition without modulating the strains or genetic traits. In    contrast, the Nori grown in the present invention does not require    genetic modulation to achieve improved products, because it allows    for controlling the environmental conditions to be optimum.-   4. The Nori grown in the open sea is susceptible to pollution    hazards and contamination. In contrast, Nori produced in the    invention is free of pollution and contamination.-   4. The Nori grown in open sea is prone to contamination with    epiphytes, other organisms and sand. In contrast, this problem does    not exist for Nori grown in the invention.-   5. Nori grown in open sea produces raw material that is generally    suitable only for the production of Nori sheets. In contrast, the    Nori grown in the present invention has raw material that is    suitable for producing sheets, neutraceuticals cosmetics and    pharmaceutics.-   6. The open sea Nori cultivation is carried out on large scale area.    In contrast, Nori cultivation in the invention is modular, flexible    and adaptable for establishing maricultures of Nori in different    parts of the world.-   7. The open sea Nori cultivation is restricted to the local    Polrphyra species found in the region. In contrast, Nori and any and    all types of seaweeds can be cultivated using the technology of the    invention.-   8. The open sea Nori cultivation system has a growth season    determined by the climate and seasonal changes. In contrast, Nori    grown in the present invention allows the extension of the growth    season by modulating the temperature.-   9. The open sea Nori cultivation is inefficient, requires a large    work force, and restricted to cultivation areas only. In contrast,    Nori grown in the invention provides an efficient system, requires a    very small work force in comparison, and requires a small    cultivation area which can be located adjacent to a processing unit    for convenience and cost savings.-   10. The following examples are presented to illustrate the    advantages of the present invention and to assist one of ordinary    skill in the art in making and using the same. These examples are    not intended in any way otherwise to limit the scope of the    specification.-   11. The conventional system requires and depends on the separate    cultivation of the Conchocelis, usually grown away from the    cultivation site and separate organizations. The present invention    provides a system that does not require the Conchocelis cultivation    and thus all the cultivation processes from spore to Nori raw    material is located in the same place or site.

EXAMPLES Example A—Indoor Phase

1. Production of Sporlings

Three months before the cultivation season begins, spores are producedin order to grow mother sporlings. See FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Thesporulation process can be achieved using methods described fully in theart and may include:

a) A Sexual Sporulation from Snorlings that were Grown from the PreviousCultivation Season.

Sporlings discharge monospores when they are grown in petri dishes or inany unfavorable condition. Some disintegrate completely while releasingmonospores in large quantities, on reaching 1–5 mm length—for example,Porphyra Yezoensis (YEZ). In YEZ all the cells of the sporlings arereleased as monospores. Other species release monospores on reaching 1–2cm long like Porphyra sp. grown in Taiwan (TAW). This more than anyother characteristic is a good sign for the degree of the sensitivity ofthe sporlings.

b) Sporulation from Thawing Sporlings that were Frozen at the End of thePrevious Cultivation Season.

Sporlings and young thalii at the end of the previous cultivation seasonare washed with distilled water (quick wash—not more than 0.5 min) driedin sterile conditions for 4 min (in the laminar hood) and frozen to −50°C. Before the beginning of the cultivation season the frozen thalii arethawed to room temperature and rinsed in A medium than transferred to a15° C. incubator under low light conditions (2 tissue paper layers).

YEZ species start to discharge monospores within 2 weeks. Medium Acontains enriched seawater containing antibiotics.

c) Sporulation from Conchocelis Grown During the Previous Summer.

Conchocelis, growing on Patella empty shells under 15° C. temperaturewill start to discharge conchospores to the growing substrates. The useof conchocelis for the production of spores is an important tool for lowtemp. Porphyra species like Tenera. This species is suitable for thatkind of fertilization since the discharge of spores can be achievedafter growth of conchocelis for only 4 months and the spore productionis massive and simple to achieve.

2. Mother Sporlings Growth

The spores are produced under law light conditions (2 tissue layers) andgerminate under high (one tissue layer) light conditions and photoperiodof 8L:16D, temp of 15° C. and medium P or A. After 1 week, the youngsporlings are transferred to medium PO for preserving their vegetativecharacteristics that enable maturation without releasing monospores.

Medium PO is enriched seawater having reduced salinity. Medium Pcontains enriched seawater similar to the Provasoli's type.

3. Major Sporulation

After the sporlings have reached 2 cm long they are transferred to Pmedium for the massive spore production. The massive spore release isperformed on petri dishes that rotate slowly (once a day) in order todisperse the spores evenly in the dishes, but at the same time, let thespores adhere to the substrate. The spore release is performed under thesame conditions as for the mother sporlings production, as describedabove.

4. Initial Sporlings Growth

The sporlings are n in the laboratory (21, FIG. 3) in special incubatorsfor 1 month until they have reached 1 mm length under high lightconditions. When they have reached that length the sporlings aretransferred into the plastic sleeves in the special controlledenvironment chambers (containers) (22, FIG. 3).

5. Major Sporlings Cultivation

Usually it takes 5–10 petri-dishes concentration for 1 sleeve. The youngsporlings are transferred into plastic sleeves for maturation of thesporlings into young thalli. The young sporlings are grown in theplastic sleeves for exactly 2 weeks with bi-weekly addition of nutrients(N,P) wherein N is NH4Cl 0.5 mM, and P is NaH₂PO₄.H₂O, 0.05 mM. Theconditions in these containers are: Temp. −15° C., Light—cool lightfluorescent and additional incandescent light. The seawater is filteredthrough 1 μmesh. The sleeves are aerated by continuous bubbling of airthrough plastic tubes. During this 2 weeks the sporlings will reach 0.5cm.

Example B—Out Door Phase

1. Stage 1 growth—Referring to FIG. 3, Sporlings in the range of 0.5–1cm long which were grown in the plastic sleeves are transferred tooutdoor conditions to small (401) growth tanks, 1 sleeve for each tank.They are grown in running seawater for 2–3 weeks until the sporlingsreach 2–4 cm long. The seawater is enriched twice a week with N&Pnutrients. There is possibility of cooling the seawater in the tankswith a chiller (23) in the beginning of the cultivation season. Thecooling procedure can reduce ambient seawater by 3–5° C. and can add 1–2weeks of cultivation time. The tanks are shaded with 1 or 2 blackplastic screens during the growth period particularly for the firstweek.

2. Stage 2 growth—Referring to FIG. 4, after 2–3 weeks of growing maturesporlings in outdoor conditions in the small tanks, the young thalli aretransferred to big cultivation tanks-U Tanks of 4 m long 1 m width and 1m depth. The growth in these tanks is the optimal growth possible tocultivate the Porphyra until the harvest. Since the commercialcultivation demands cultivation in big ponds, the mature thalli aregrown in these tanks for 3 weeks and then the thalli are cut (1^(st)cut) to pieces by blender or similar device which can cut sharply thethalli (which can reach by now to 10 cm long) and make 1–2 cm longPorphyra pieces. The cutting device cuts the thalli in the watersuspension and the process is carried out in cold water in-order toavoid any injury of the thalli due to bacterial contamination problems.

3. Stage 3 growth—Referring to FIG. 5, after 3 weeks in which thePorphyra thalli are grown in the big U tanks and cut for the first time.The small Porphyra pieces are transferred into the inoculation ponds(small pond which are 1/10 in area from the cultivation ponds and whichare aerated ponds). The small thalli are grown in that ponds insuspension for 2–3 weeks. The seawater is enriched with N&P or any otherelements which are needed. The Porphyra thalli is cut again (2^(nd) cut)at the end of the cultivation period in these ponds.

Stage 4 growth—Referring to FIG. 6, the small Porphyra thalli aretransferred into the cultivation ponds, and grown in these big ponds for2–3 weeks until it reaches 10 cm in length or density of 2.5–4 kg/m².The Porphyra thalli are then all harvested by pumping the water throughmesh. The water can be transferred back to the cultivation ponds and beused for the next batch of Porphyra thalli.

Example C—Annual Cultivation Activity by Growth Stages of Two Species ofPorphyra by the Technology of the Present Invention

FIG. 7 describes the results of growing two species of Porphyra, duringa period starting in June to the following year in May. The temperatureconditions were changed and the different stages of growth—growth ofmother sporlings, sporulation/sporling, growth in sleeves, stage 1,stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4—were controlled using the technology ofthe invention. The results obtained demonstrate that the technology ofthe invention can be used to grow almost all year round (providedoutdoor conditions are favorable) in any land-based sea pond system.Nori cultivation is therefore, no longer limited to open seas, and nolonger restricted by open-sea climatic conditions.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the embodimentdisclosed in the example which is intended as an illustration of oneaspect of the invention and any methods which are functionallyequivalent are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, variousmodifications of the invention in addition to those shown and describedherein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain usingno more than routine experimentation, any equivalents to the specificembodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents areintended to be encompassed by the claims.

1. A method of cultivating seaweeds in land based seawater ponds, saidmethod comprising the steps of: producing spores and sporelings sexuallyand asexually in cultures maintained in a phycological laboratoryfacility, growing the sporelings in suspension cultures under optimalgrowth conditions in a plurality of sleeves aerated and containingseawater enriched with nutrients 0.5 mM NH₄Cl and 0.05 mM NaH₂PO₄ H₂Obi-weekly, transferring sporelings in the range of 0.5–1 cm long tosmall growth tanks that are nutrient enriched bi-weekly, transferringthe matured sporelings to a plurality of large cultivation tanks thatare nutrient enriched to allow for rapid growth yields of about 1kg/m²/week, cutting the seaweed and transferring to inoculation ponds,cutting the seaweed and transferring to cultivation ponds, harvestingfull grown seaweed pieces that reach 10 cm in length or 2.5–4 kg/m²density, drying and grinding the harvested seaweed, and preparing theresulting product for use.
 2. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe nutrients added to the seawater are designed to produce a pluralityof seaweeds that are used as neutraceuticals, food components,pharmaceutics or cosmetics.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe land based cultivation cycle for the seaweeds comprises: productionof spores and sporelings in petri dishes in a phycological laboratory;cultivation of sporelings in sleeves under environmentally controlledconditions; stage 1 growth in small tanks of sporelings underenvironmentally controlled conditions; stage 2 growth in large tankscontaining defined nutrients to seaweed pieces; stage 3 growth ininoculation ponds containing defined nutrients to full size seaweeds;and stage 4 growth in cultivation ponds to harvest the seaweeds.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein each of the different stages ofgrowth of seaweeds in land based seawater ponds is programmable to occurthroughout the year.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein avolume capacity of each of the sleeves is about 20 liters, of the tanksused in stage 1 is about 40 liters, of the large tanks used in stage 2is about 4000 liters, of inoculation ponds used in stage 3 is about 30m² and the cultivation ponds used in stage 4 of 500 m².
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the land based ponds are of varying sizesincluding 30 m² or 500 m².
 7. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe drying step comprises centrifugation drums or low temperature ovens.8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a land based temperaturecontrolled facility housing the plurality of sleeves, further comprisesa chiller to regulate the temperature.